CHAPTER 28

Bea had sorted herself a routine, taking one of the boys out in the morning, she had promised to look after Newton, Nathan knew he was in safe hands there. So she was taking Hero one morning and Newton the next. Knowing the Constable was away Jed had reminded her she still must write on the board so he knew where she was. If truth be told he got so much fun reading their messages every morning, on a night when he got home it was the first thing his wife asked about.

Her afternoons were spent at Nathan's working her way from room to room. She had stripped all the beds, perfect drying weather for those. Swept and dusted, polished, she did actually enjoy cleaning when she was in the right frame of mind. When she was dusting under Nathan's bed the brush seemed to catch on something, she knelt down to see what it was, a guitar case, he had a guitar!. How did she not know this, when she had sent the list to Ethel of the things she would like sending over her guitar was top of the list. Then she thought she had never mentioned it either. They learned more and more about each other every day but there was so much as yet undiscovered like this. Dare she open the case, no she would leave it for now. Maybe later in the week, she wanted to get his room done today then tomorrow she could start downstairs.

A couple of nights she had eaten with Faith and Fiona, all three had so much in common they got along really well. There was talk of the dance and who they thought would end up pairing with who. Excitement was building for the whole Midsummer festivities.

By Friday she only had the outside of the downstairs windows left to do, well, and make the beds, everything was ironed and ready, she would do that on Sunday.

Happily singing to herself as she washed the last window at the front of the house someone spoke, she turned to see Elizabeth standing watching her.

"Has Nathan hired you as a cleaner, sorry let me introduce myself, Elizabeth Thornton and you are? "

"I don't think who I am and what I am doing is any of your concern" Bea replied.

"Where is Nathan ?"

"Again I don't see what business that is of yours"

Bea did not like her attitude one bit, she had felt from that first time she saw her that Elizabeth Thornton and her would not get along, that for Bea was a very rare occurrence.

"You must be this mysterious woman that everyone in town is talking about, I see now. Well, can you tell Nathan I need to speak to him as soon as possible?"

"I will tell him you called, as to whether or not he wants to speak to you, that will be his decision."

"He loves me so I am sure he will."

How Bea kept her cool she didn't know.

"I think you have that wrong Mrs. Thornton, from what Nathan has told me, and he has told me everything, he did love you, or thought he did, he now knows different, you I believe threw that love back in his face. You made your choice. If that has proved to be the wrong one then don't come back here trying to pick up the pieces. Nathan has moved on, it has taken him months but he finally has. Actually, I should thank you, because your loss has given me the greatest gift I have ever been given. Now if you will excuse me I must get on."

Bea went into the house and closed the door. She actually started shaking, she was so mad, how dare that woman, how dare she, and where had all that about him not loving here come from, Nathan had never told her, she just knew.

A couple of minutes later there was a knock at the door, surely she couldn't have come back but then Bea heard Rosemary's voice. "Come in Rosemary."

Rosemary did come in and started to clap, "Bea I was coming home and rounded the corner just as Elizabeth approached you, I daren't walk past so I did hear all of that, you my girl were amazing. I couldn't believe what she was saying. You know we used to be such good friends, Elizabeth and I, I really don't know what has happened to her."

"I was so mad Rosemary was I the cleaner, she knew exactly who I was. Where was he, she needed to speak to him, he loves her, who does she think she is."

"Well I think she has met her match in you Bea, you shot her down in flames and without even raising your voice. I do wonder now why she is back and if something has happened between her and Lucas."

"As one of the stable lads back home used to say, and excuse me Rosemary, tough shit. If she thinks she can waltz back in here having changed her mind then she is sadly mistaken."

"Bea, listen to me, Nathan worships you, she wouldn't have a chance so don't let that worry you one iota. Now have you finished everything or do you need a hand ?"

"Just the beds to re-make, everything washed and ironed to go back on, I can do that on Sunday."

"No, come on I will give you a hand, much easier with the two of us, and I have to say the house is shining like a new pin."

Fifteen minutes and they were done.

"Thank you Rosemary, all I want to do now is pick some nice fresh flowers to leave, I will get those when we go collecting for our hair garlands on Saturday morning."

"It is going to be a wonderful day, it really is. Now I won't take no for an answer you can eat with us tonight."

Bea knew better than to argue, she had a lovely dinner and then Lee walked her back to the saloon.

What a day she thought. Monday can't come quick enough.